Editing Seraphim Space Investment Trust (section)

== ESG considerations: The ultimate in impact investing ==
Seraphim Space is a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and regards ESG factors as an absolute bedrock of the development in space technology and believes that space has a ‘unique role’ to play in addressing the climate crisis and, more broadly, driving and meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each of 17 of the private fund holdings that transferred to SSIT address at least two of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), with most of the holdings addressing multiple goals. Seraphim Space has not yet published a stated ESG policy, but it is currently working with sustainability consultant Sancroft to develop the policy.

Space technology has the potential to address issues such as biodiversity security, with more powerful and granular observation from satellites helping to monitor illegal fishing and poaching for endangered species. More eyes on the planet can help manage and monitor deforestation and wildfire threats. According to the World Economic Forum there are currently more than 160 satellites measuring different global warming indicators, with more than half of essential climate variables only measurable from space,

Improving technology in the field of greenhouse gas monitoring via satellites can pinpoint areas of concern regarding building energy efficiency or escaping gasses from industrial or landfill sites for example. Better weather forecasting satellites have a host of applications and help ensure that renewable energy infrastructure is used to its best effect via the modelling of sunlight and cloud cover to optimise solar panel installations. More observation of the Earth could uncover better areas to tap into renewable energy sources.

GPS data from space provides the positioning, time and navigation for uses such as in autonomous driverless cars, flying taxis and drone deliveries, which will contribute to less traffic on roads, reduced congestion and lower emissions.

Satellite constellations could be an alternative to traditional internet access infrastructure, which may be uneconomical or unviable to install in some remote regions. A United Nations study found that 52% of the world’s population still lacks access to internet, and 90% of those people are from developing countries. The benefits of connectivity from space could include healthcare and stronger GDP growth in developing regions of the world.

Over the longer term, as the price of sending a kilo into space continues to fall, demand for next-generation space commercialisation should escalate, for uses such as manufacturing in space, datacentres in space, in-orbit agriculture and solar farms in space providing clean energy to the planet.